LEAVE IT TO CLEAVER: When God Doesn't Guide

      I have prayed and prayed for God to guide me. He hasn’t answered my prayer. I have asked God for direction for my life. He has not given me direction. What do I do? Gideon (Judges 6) asked God for a sign that the fleece be wet and the ground be dry. Then he asked for the ground to be wet and the fleece dry. God replied as Gideon had requested. What happens when all is wet and all dry at the same time? What do I do? Here are some things we can do as we ask God for leadership when there seems to be no immediate answer:

         • Keep on asking. God is interested in your well-being and the well-being of His kingdom. God is not annoyed at your asking for direction from Him. He is honored when we truly ask for direction from Him. We must ensure that we seek His direction rather than blessings on our escape plans when we are in trouble.

         • Look for change. Many times, prayer changes me. Many times, prayer changes circumstances, even those people around me. There may be movement in the condition in which I find myself. New insights occur when we are open to the presence of the Living God.

         • Read and reread the Scriptures. The Bible is the guide for my life. It is authoritative for my journey. It is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. There is no human condition the Bible excludes. I will find more than a hint in the Book of books.

      • Enquire of spiritual mentors. Some people are good guides. They are spiritually sensitive to your journey and will give you godly and sound counsel, not “Here’s what you need to do now” advice.

         • Try a “new” path. If I am stuck at a dead end, maybe I need to go back to the crossroads to find my way. Returning to “basics” and the starting point many times reveals which end of the rope you are holding.

      What do I do when God seemingly does not answer my request for direction? Rather than giving up on God, the above tried and proven ways are most helpful.

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Dr. Tony CleaverDr. Tony Cleaver

Dr. Tony Cleaver pens a column titled, Leave It To Cleaver, in which he talks about a wide variety of topics relevant to the modern church and BMA Baptists.

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